Press for stamping frames of a handbag or the like



g- 15, 1967 M M. BALSAM 3,335,599

PRESS FOR STAMPING FRAMES OF A HANDBAG OR THE LIKE Filed Sept. 1, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTQR Frauce 4 Bil-mm mm M MW ATTORNEY g- 15,1957 M. M. BALSAM 3,335,599

PRESS FOR STAMPING FRAMES OF A HANDBAG OR THE LIKE Filed Sept. 1, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR J a 0 26M: BY

ATTORNEY Aug. 15, 1967 M. M. BALSAM 3,335,599 PRESS FOR STAMPING FRAMES OF A HANDBAG OR THE LIKE Filed Sept. 1, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 JHHIIIH.

F/G.5 K

INVENTOR {hwy/w ,7, 848m United States Patent 3,335,599 PRESS FOR STAMPING FRAMES OF A HANDBAG OR THE LIKE Maurice M. Balsam, 101 W. 23rd St, New York, N.Y. 10011 Filed Sept. 1, 1964, Ser. No. 393,598 17 Claims. (Cl. 72-413) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A press for clamping frames of a handbag or the like and comprising support means, a stationary die fixedly mounted on the support means, a movable die upwardly spaced from the stationary die, mounting means for mounting the movable die movably toward and away from the stationary die while permitting slight universal tilting movement of the movable die relative to the stationary die, and pressure means mounted on the support means and engaging the aforementioned mounting means for moving the movable die toward and away from the stationary die.

The present invention relates to a press for clamping frames of handbags or the like. Handbag frames usually comprises two or more U-shaped members with channelshaped cross section which are hingedly connected at the ends thereof, and the material of the handbag which may be leather, plastic, or fabric, is connected to the frame by inserting the edges of the material into the open channel of the frame parts and by then squeezing the edges of the open channel of each part tightly together to clamp the edge of the material in the channel.

Considerable difiiculties are encountered in this procedure to obtain a uniform pressure on all portions of the U-shaped frame parts so as to tightly secure the bag material thereto. Further difiiculties are encountered when the handbag frame comprises not only two, but three U- shaped frame parts, and in which the middle frame part has a slightly different channel cross section than the two outer frame parts. In such a case it is especially diflicult to properly attach the material of the bag to the outer as well as to the central frame parts in one and the same press.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a press for clamping frames of a handbag in which a uniform clamping pressure may be produced on all portions of the U-shaped frame part, and in which a proper clamping pressure may be obtained on U-shaped frame parts of different cross sections.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a press for clamping frames of a handbag or the like in which a small force produced by the operator will result in a great clamping pressure on the frame inserted into the press.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a press of the type mentioned which is composed of relatively few and rugged parts so that the press can be manufactured at reasonable cost and will operate troublefree over an extended time period.

With these objects in view, the press for clamping frames of a handbag according to the present invention mainly comprises support means, a stationary die fixedly mounted on the support means, a movable die spaced from the stationary die, means mounting the movable die on the support means for movement toward and away from the stationary die while permitting slight universal tilting movement of the movable die relative to the stationary die, and means mounted on the support means and engaging the mounting means for moving the movable die toward and away from the stationary die. The aforementioned mounting means preferably includes a plate extending substantially parallel to a horizontal top portion of the press frame, which forms the support of the various members of the press and the movable die is mounted at one end of this plate, symmetrically arranged with respect to a longitudinal center line of the plate. Abutment means mounted on the top portion of the frame engage the bottom face of the plate at the other end thereof in the region of the center line of the plate, and resilient means are provided which act on the other end of the plate for resiliently holding this other end in engagement with the abutment means.

The necessary clamping pressure is preferably produced by action of the operator on a foot pedal pivotally mounted on the press frame and which is connected by means of a lever mechanism to a pressure member engaging the top surface of the plate at the center line and at the end thereof which carries the movable die. The pressure member engages the plate preferably with a convexly curved pressure face and the plate may be provided with a hardened insert having a concavely curved upper surface engaged by the convexly curved pressure face of the pressure member. The lever mechanism which connects the foot pedal to the pressure member is constructed in such a manner so as to translate a relatively small force produced by the operator on the foot pedal into a great clamping pressure.

During the downward stroke of the foot pedal and during action of the pressure member on the top surface of the plate, the latter is forced to tilt about the abutment means at the rear end of the plate to move thereby the movable die towards the stationary die and to clamp thereby a handbag frame placed between the two dies. Due to the arrangement of the abutment means and the pressure member along the center line of the plate, the plate may not only tilt about the abutment means, but also tilt slightly about its center line to thus assure uni form clamping pressure on all parts of the frame of the handbag. Automatic equalization of the pressure is further obtained due to the fact that the rear end of the plate is yieldably held against the abutment means and due to the further fact that the pressure member engages the plate with a convexly curved pressure face.

Preferably, the height of the abutment means relative to the stationary die may be adjusted and the pressure exerted by the resilient means on the rear end of the plate by "means of which the rear end is yieldably held on the abutment means is also preferably adjustable.

To avoid excessive tilting of the plate about its longitudinal center line,a pair of guide pins are preferably provided, which project upwardly from the top portion of the press and with ample clearance through bores formed in the plate at opposite sides of the center line.The clearance between pins and bores will permit a certain tilting of the plate about the center line, but prevent excessive tilting. A pair of compression springs are preferably arranged about the pins between the bottom surface of the plate and the top portion of the press frame to thus resiliently hold the movable die spaced from the stationary die.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the press according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the press;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged top view of the stationary die and partial view of the press adjacent to the stationary die; and

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the movable die, likewise drawn to an enlarged scale.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the same, it will be seen that the press of the present invention includes support means or a press frame 1, having two pairs of legs 2 connected to each other by a top plate or top portion 4, screwed, welded, or otherwise connected to the upper ends of the legs. The top plate 4 preferably has a front end portion 4' of greater thickness that the rear end of the top plate and a stationary die or bottom die 6 is removably secured in a known manner by screws and dowels to the front portion 4' of the top plate 4. A movable die 8 is arranged above and spaced from the stationary die 6 and the movable die 8 has a bottom surface extending substantially parallel to the top surface of the stationary die 6. The movable die is secured by screws and dowels in a known manner to the front end of a plate 10 extending substantially parallel to the top portion of the frame 1. The rear end of the plate 10, that is the end opposite the plate and which carries the movable die 8, abuts against abutment means 12 so that the plate 10 may tilt about the abutment means to move thereby the movable die 8 towards the stationary die 6. The abutment means 12 preferably comprise a pin or screw bolt 14 projecting upwardly from the top plate 4 and extending with ample clearance through a bore formed in the plate 10 at the longitudinal center line C of the latter. A nut 16 screwed on the screwbolt 14 and secured in position by locknut 18 abuts against the bottom surface of the plate 10 and forms, therefore, an abutment means for the latter, Resilient means 22 are provided for holding the rear end of the plate 10 in engagement with the abutment means and the resilient means preferably comprise a compression spring arranged about pin 14 between the top face of the plate 10 and a nut 20 screwed on to the upper end of pin 14. The pressure of the spring 22 can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the nut along the pin 14.

Since the abutment means 12 engage the rear end of the plate 10 only in the region of the center line C the plate 10 may also tilt slightly about the center line C. To prevent excessive tilting of the plate about the center line C, two guide pins 28 are provided which are respectively arranged on opposite sides of the center line C, equally spaced therefrom. The lower ends of the guide pins 28 are press-fitted in corresponding bores in the top plate 4 and the pins 28 project upwardly from top plate 4 with ample clearance through bores 28 formed in the plate 10, as best shown in FIG. 3. A pair of coil compression springs 30 are respectively arranged about the pins 28, abutting with opposite ends thereof against the top plate 4 of the press frame and the bottom surface of the plate 10, to yieldably maintain the latter in the position as shown in FIG. 1.

Pressure means are provided to move the movable die 8 towards the stationary die 6 so as to clamp frame parts of a handbag between the two dies. The pressure means include a pressure member 24 engaging with a convexly curved substantially spherical pressure face 24a, the top face of the plate 10. Preferably, a hardened insert 26 is inserted into the top portion of the plate 10 engaged by the pressure member 24 and the insert 26 has an upper concavely curved face having a radius of curvature slightly greater than that of the pressure face 24a of the pressure member 24. The pressure member 24 engages the plate 10 in the region of the front end thereof and substantially at the center line C, as best shown in FIG. 3.

The pressure means include also lever means connected to the pressure member 24 for moving the latter downwardly and for tilting thereby the plate 10 about the abutment means 12. The lever means include a crank lever 34 tiltab-le about pivot shaft 40 extending transverse to the legs 2 of the frame 1 and secured at opposite ends thereof in corresponding bores of the legs 2. The crank lever 34 has a shorter arm 36 extending rearwardly and downwardly from the pivot shaft 40 and a longer arm 38 extending upwardly and rearwardly from the pivot shaft 40. A foot pedal 32 is pivotally mounted in the region of one end thereof on a pivot pin 31 extending transversely between the legs 2 of the frame and secured at opposite ends thereof thereto, and the foot pedal 32 is connected by first connecting means 42 to the longer arm 38 of the crank lever 34, while the shorter arms 36 of the crank lever is connected by second connecting means 44 to the pressure member 24. The first connecting means 42 include a yoke member 46 straddling the footpedal 32, as best shown in FIG. 2, and being pivotally connected thereto by a pivot pin 4-8. A connecting rod 50 projects upwardly from the upper portion of the yoke member 46 and is connected thereto in any known manner, and the upper end of the connecting rod 15 carries fixedly connected thereto a second yoke member 52 straddling the longer arm 38 of the crank lever 34 in the region of the free end thereof and being pivotally connected thereto by pivot pin 54. The free end of the longer arm 38 may be provided with a plurality of bores and the pivot pin 54 may be selectively placed through any of the bores to connect the upper end of the upper yoke member 52 to the arm 38 at a selected distance from the pivot shaft 40 to change thereby the active length of the arm 38.

The second connecting means 44 include, as best shown in FIG. 2, a pair of plates 56 arranged on opposite sides of the crank lever 34 and connected at their lower ends thereof to the free end of the shorter arm 36 of the crank lever by means of a pivot pin 58. The second connecting means 44 include further a yoke member 60 having a pair of legs engaging the inner surfaces of the plates 56 and being pivotally connected by means of pivot pin 62 to plates 56 in the region of the upper ends thereof. A connecting rod 64 is connected to the yoke member 60 in any convenient maner known in the art and the connecting rod 64 extends with ample clearance through an opening in the plate 10 and has an upper threaded end screwed into a central bore of the pressure member 24. The screw connection between the upper end of the connecting rod 54 and the pressure member 24 permits to adjust the distance between the pressure face 24a of the pressure member and the pivot pin 62.

A sleeve 68 is provided on the connecting rod 50 adjustable in longitudinal direction thereof, and this sleeve may be held in any adjusted position by a set screw 70 screwed into a threaded bore of the sleeve 68, and engaging with the free end thereof the connecting rod 50. The sleeve 68 is provided with an eye 69 in which one end of a tension spring 72 is hooked, whereas the other end of the spring 72 is hooked into an eye 74 projecting downwardly from the rear end of the top plate 4 of the press frame. The position of the sleeve 68 is adjusted to tension the tension spring 72 in such a manner that the force exerted by the spring will maintain the footpedal 32 in an upwardly inclined position as shown in FIG. 1. A sleeve 66 is provided about the connecting rod 64 adjustable in longitudinal direction of the length thereof and held in adjusted position by a set screw 67. The position of the sleeve 66 is adjusted in such a manner to hold the pressure member 24 and thereby the plate 10 in a selected position against the force of the compression springs 28 when no pressure is exerted on the footpedal 32.

FIGS. 4 and 5 respectively show the stationary and the movable die in further detail. As can be seen from FIG.

4, the stationary die 6 is substantially U-shaped and has a pair of leg portions 6a projecting forward beyond the front portion 4 of the top plate 4 of the pressure frame, and a connecting portion 6b extending between the leg portions 6a. The stationary die 6 is provided with a U- shaped cutout 78 extending along the inner edges of leg portion 6a and the front edge of the connecting portion 6b. The cutout 78 has a bottom face 76 parallel to the top face of the stationary die and a shoulder face 80 normal to the top face so that a U-shaped frame part of a handbag or the like of a channel-shaped cross section, as indicated in dash-dotted lines in FIG. 4, may be placed into the cutout 78, with the bottom face of the frame part located on the face 78 and the rear portion of the U- shaped channel abutting against the shoulder face 80. To accommodate a clasp part Cl on the handbag frame, a cavity 82 is provided in the stationary die 6 which extends rearwardly from a center region of the cutout 78, which cavity has a bottom face spaced further from the top face of the stationary die 6 than the face 78 of the cutout. When the press is used for clamping frames of a handbag which has three U-shaped frame members, that is two outer frame members and a center frame member hingedly connected to each other, the stationary die 6 is preferably provided also with an insert 84 fastened by means of a screw 86 in a corresponding cavity of the stationary die so that the top face of the insert 84 is flush with the top face of the die 6. The insert -84 has a front face ending at the face 80 of the cutout 76 and a cavity 88 which extends from the front face of the insert 84 into the latter for accommodating a straight clasp part usually projecting from the central part of a three-part handbag frame.

The movable die 8, shown in a bottom view in FIG. 5, is likewise U-shaped and has a pair of leg portions 8a connected by a connecting portion 8b. A ridge 90 extending along the inner edges of the leg portions 8a and the front edge 8b, projects downwardly from the bottom face of the movable die. Ridge 90 is substantially coextensive with the cutout 76 and vertically aligned with the same. The ridge 90 is slightly curved in cross section so that the peak of the curve is closely adjacent to the free edge of the ridge. The movable die 8 preferably includes also a pressure element having a portion projecting downwardly beyond the bottom face of the movable die in vertical alignment with a portion of the cavity 82 for engaging a clasp part on an outer frame member placed on the stationary die during movement of the movable die toward the stationary die. The pressure element 92 is preferably constituted by a set screw screwed into a threaded bore of the movable die so as to be adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the bore. The end of the set screw 92 is adapted to engage the free end of a clasp part on the outer frame part of a handbag to bend the free end of the clasp out of the plane of the U-shaped frame part.

The operation of the press above described will be obvious from the above description of the press construction. A U-shaped frame part F of channel-shaped cross section is placed into the cutout 76 of the stationary die 6, as indicated in dash-dotted lines in FIG. 4, with the bottom face of the frame part F abutting against the face 78 of the cutout and with the rear face of the frame F abutting against the shoulder face 80 of the cutout. Clasp part CI of the frame F is located in the cavity 82 when the frame F is an outer frame part in which the free end of the clasp part is located to one side of the center line of the frame. If the frame is a center frame part, the clasp part is usually projecting along the center line of the frame and in this case the clasp part is located in the cavity 88 of the insert 84. The edge portion of the material of the bag is then placed in the open channel of the frame F and afterwards the operator steps on the free end of the footpedal 32. Downward pressure exerted by the operator on the foot pedal 32 is transmitted by the first connecting means 42 onto the crank lever 34 to turn the latter in clockwise direction, which moves the pin 58, connecting the end of the shorter arm 36 of the crank lever with the plates 56, forwardly and downwardly, pulling thereby the second connecting means 44 downwardly, and during this movement the second connecting means 44 will also swing forwardly pivoting about the spherical face 24a of the pressure member 24. The angle or included between the axis of the second connecting means 44 and the shorter arm 36 of the crank lever decreases, therefore, during the downward or working stroke of the foot pedal and the second connecting means 44 form with the shorter arm 36 an inverted toggle mechanism to translate the pressure exerted by the operator on the foot pedal 32 into a considerable increased pressure acting through the pressure member 24 on plate 10, to tilt the plate 10 about the abutment means 12 and to move thereby the movable die 8 towards the stationary die 6. The ridge 9 of the movable die 8 will thus engage the frame F of the handbag along the inner edge thereof to squeeze thereby the free-edges of the channel shaped frame tightly against the material sandwiched therebetween. The set screw 92 is adjusted in such a manner that the free end thereof engages the ball-shaped end of the clasp part Cl to bend the clasp part at the free end beyond the bottom face 78 of the cutout. If a center frame part has to be clamped on the press, the central clasp part thereof is accommodated in the cavity 88 of the insert 84 and during closing of the press this clasp part will not be affected.

The abutment means 12, that is the position of the nut 16 on the screw bolt 14 is adjusted to such a position that the bottom face of the movable die 8 is substantially parallel to the top face of the stationary die 6 when the ridge 90 of the movable die presses against the frame member F, located in the cutout 76 of the stationary die 6, or the adjustment is made in such a manner that the free ends of the leg portion 8a are slightly closer to the stationary die 6 than the connecting portion 8b. Due to the clearances with which the pin 46 and the pins 26 extend through the respective bores in the plate 10 and due to the spherical pressure face 24a of the: pressure member 24, the movable die 8 may adjust its position by slight tilting relative to the stationary die 6 to thus automatically equalize the pressure exerted by the ridge 90 on the handbag frame F on all portions of the latter.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of presses differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a press for clamping frames of a handbag or the like, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A press for clamping frames of a handbag or the like comprising, in combination, a press frame having a substantially horizontal top portion; a stationary die fixedly mounted on said top portion of said frame; a movable die upwardly spaced from said stationary die; mounting means for mounting said movable die for movement toward and away from said stationary die while permitting slight universal tilting movement of said movable die relative to said stationary die, said mounting means including a plate extending substantially parallel to said top portion of said frame and carrying at one end thereof said movable die symmetrically arranged with respect to a longitudinal center line of Said plate, abutment means mounted on said top portion of said frame and engaging the bottom face of said plate at the other end thereof in the region of said center line, and resilient means connected to said other end of said plate for resiliently holding said other end of said plate in engagement with said abutment means; and pressure means mounted on said frame and engaging the to face of said plate in the region of said one thereof for tilting said plate about said abutment means and for pressing thereby said movable die toward said stationary die.

2. A press for clamping frames of a handbag or the like comprising, in combination, a press frame having a substantially horizontal top portion; a stationary die fixedly mounted on said top portion of said frame; a movable die upwardly spaced from said stationary die; mounting means for mounting said movable die for movement toward and away from said stationary die while permitting slight universal tilting movement of said movable die relative to said stationary die, said mounting means including a plate extending substantially parallel to said top portion of said frame and carrying at one end thereof said movable die symmetrically arranged with respect to a longitudinal center line of said plate, abutment means mounted on said top portion of said frame and engaging the bottom face of said plate at the other end thereof in the region of said center line, and resilient means connected to said other end of said plate for resiliently holding said other end of said plate in engagement with said abutment means; and pressure means mounted on said frame and engaging the top face of said plate in the region of said one end thereof for tilting said plate about said abutment means and for pressing thereby said movable die toward said stationary die, said pressure means including a pressure member having a spherical pressure surface engaging said Plate.

3. A press for clamping frames of a handbag or the like comprising, in combination, a press frame having a substantially horizontal top portion; a stationary die fixed ly mounted on said top portion of said frame; a movable die upwardly spaced from said stationary die; mounting means for mounting said movable die for movement toward and away from said stationary die while permitting slight universal tilting movement of said movable die relative to said stationary die, said mounting means including a plate extending substantially parallel to said top portion of said frame and carrying at one end thereof said movable die symmetrically arranged with respect to a longitudinal center line of said plate, abutment means mounted on said top portion of said frame and engaging the bottom face of said plate at the other end thereof in the region of said center line, and resilient means connected to said other end of said plate for resiliently holding said other end of said plate in engagement with said abutment means; and pressure means mounted on said frame and engaging the top face of said plate in the region of said one end thereof for tilting said plate about said abutment means and for pressing thereby said movable die toward said stationary die, said pressure means including toggle lever means having an upper end portion extending through an opening in said plate, and a pressure member connected to said upper end portion of said toggle lever means and having a spherical pressure surface engaging said top face of said plate in the region of said one end thereof.

4. A press for clamping frames of a handbag or the like comprising, in combination, a press frame having a substantially horizontal top portion; a stationary die' fixedly mounted on said top portion of said frame; a movable die upwardly spaced from said stationary die; mounting means for mounting said movable die for movement toward and away from said stationary die while permitting slight universal tilting movement of said movable die relative to said stationary die, said mounting means including a plate extending substantially parallel to said top portion of said frame and carrying at one end thereof said movable die symmetrically arranged with respect to a longitudinal center line of said plate, abutment means mounted on said top portion of said frame and engaging the bottom face of said plate at the other end thereof in the region of said center line, and resilient means connected to said other end of said plate for resiliently holding said other end of said plate in engagement with said abutment means; and pressure means mounted on said frame and engaging the top face of said plate in the region of said one end thereof for tilting said plate about said abutment means and for pressing thereby said movable die toward said stationary die, said pressure means including a crank lever mounted on said frame for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis and having a longer and a shorter arm including an angle with each other, a foot pedal pivoted at one end thereof on said frame, first connecting means pivotally connected at opposite ends thereof to said foot pedal adjacent said one end thereof and to said longer arm of said crank lever adjacent a free end thereof, a pressure member having a spherical end engaging said top surface of said plate in the region of said one end thereof, and second connecting means extending through an opening in said plate and being pivotally connected at one end thereof to said shorter arm of said crank lever and at the other end thereof to said pressure member.

5. A press as set forth in claim 4 wherein said crank lever is pivotally mounted in a front portion of said frame and wherein said longer arm extends upwardly and rearwardly inclined from said pivot axis and said shorter arm projects downwardly and rearwardly inclined from said pivot axis.

6. A press as set forth in claim 4, wherein said second connecting means include a pair of plates arranged at opposite sides of said crank lever and pivotally connected at a lower end thereof to a free end of said shorter arm, a yoke member between said plates above said longer arm and pivotally connected to said plates adjacent the upper ends thereof, and a connecting rod projecting upwardly from said yoke member and connected to said' pressure member.

7. A press as set forth in claim 6, wherein said pressure member is formed with a central threaded bore therethrough and wherein said connecting rod has an upper threaded portion threadingly engaging said threaded bore so that said pressure member is adjustable along said upper end portion of said connecting rod.

8. A press for clamping frames of a handbag or the like comprising, in combination, a press frame having a substantially horizontal top portion; a stationary die fixedly mounted on said top portion of said frame; a movable die upwardly spaced from said stationary die; mounting means for mounting said movable die for movement toward and away from said stationary die while permitting slight universal tilting movement of said movable die relative to said stationary die, said mounting means in cluding a plate extending substantially parallel to said top portion of said frame and carrying at one end thereof said movable die symmetrically arranged with respect to a longitudinal center line of said plate, abutment means mounted on said top portion of said frame and engaging the bottom face of said plate at the other end thereof in the region of said center line, and resilient means connected to said other end of said plate for resiliently holding said other end of said plate in engagement with said abutment means; a hardened insert mounted in said plate in the region of said one end thereof and having an upper convexly curved spherical surface; and pressure means mounted on said frame and having a convexly curved spherical end engaging said concavely curved spherical surface of said insert for pressing thereby said movable die toward said stationary die.

9. A press for clamping frames of a handbag or the like comprising, in combination, a press frame having a substantially horizontal top portion; a stationary die fixedly mounted on said top portion of said frame; a movable die upwardly spaced from said stationary die; mounting means for mounting said movable die for movement toward and away from said stationary die while permitting slight universal tilting movement of said movable die relative to said stationary die, said mounting means including a plate extending substantially parallel to said top portion of said frame and carrying at one end thereof said movable die symmetrically arranged with respect to a longitudinal center line of said plate, said plate being formed in the region of the other end thereof at said center line with a bore therethrough, a pin fixed to and projecting upwardly from said top portion of said frame and extending with ample clearance through said bore and having a first shoulder engaged by the bottom face of said plate and forming an abutment means for the latter, said pin having a second shoulder upwardly spaced from the top face of said plate, and a compression spring about said pin between said top face and said second shoulder for yieldably pressing said bottom face of said plate at said one end against said first shoulder; and pressure means mounted on said frame and engaging the top face of said plate in the region of said one end thereof for tilting said plate about said abutment means and for pressing thereby said movable die toward said stationar die.

10. A press as set forth in claim 9 wherein said pin is formed with a screw thread and wherein said first shoulder is formed by a nut and a lock nut threaded on said pin so that the distance of said abutment means from said top portion of said frame may be adjusted and wherein said second shoulder is formed by an additional nut threaded on an upper portion of said pin so that the pressure of said compression spring on said plate may be adjusted.

11. A press for clamping frames of a handbag or the like comprising, in combination, a press frame having a substantially horizontal top portion; a stationary die fixedly mounted on said top portion of said frame; a movable die upwardly spaced from said stationary die; mounting means for mounting said movable die for movement toward and away from said stationary die While permitting slight universal tilting movement of said movable die relative to said stationary die, said mounting means including a plate extending substantially parallel to said top portion of said frame and carrying at one end thereof said movable die symmetrically arranged with respect to a longitudinal center line of said plate, said plate being formed in the region of the other end thereof and at said center line with a first bore therethrough and in the region of said one end with a pair of additional bores respectively located at opposite sides of said center line, a first pin fixed to and projecting upwardly from said top portion of said frame and extending with ample clearance through said first bore, said first pin having a first shoulder engaged by the bottom face of said plate and forming an abutment means for the latter, and a second shoulder upwardly spaced from the top face of said plate, and a compression spring about said first pin between said top face and said second shoulder for yieldably pressing said bottom face of said plate at said one end thereof against said first shoulder, said mounting means including furt-her a pair of additional pins projecting upwardly from said frame and extending respectively with ample clearance through said pair of additional bores, and a pair of additional compression springs respectively arranged about said additional pins and abutting with opposite ends thereof against said top portion of said frame and said bottom face of said plate for yieldably maintaining said movable die spaced from said stationary die; and pressure means mounted on said frame and engaging the top face of said plate in the region of said one end thereof for tilting said plate about said abutment means and for pressing thereby said movable die toward said stationary die.

12. A press for clamping frames of a handbag or the like comprising, in combination, a press frame having a substantially horizontal top portion; a stationary substantially U-shaped die having a pair of leg portions and a connecting portion and being fixedly mounted on said top portion of said frame with said leg portions projecting forwardly beyond a front edge of said top portion, said stationary die being formed with a U-shaped cutout extending from the top face of said stationary die along the inner edges of said leg portions and the front edge of said connecting portion for receiving a frame of a handbag therein; a movable substantially U-shaped die upwardly spaced from said stationary die and having a pair of leg portions and a connecting portion substantially coextensive with that of said stationary die and being formed with a U-shaped ridge extending along the inner edges of the leg portions and the connecting portion of said movable die downwardly from the bottom face of the latter in vertical alignment with said cutout of said stationary die; mounting means for mounting said movable die for movement toward and away from said stationary die while permitting slight universal tilting movement of said movable die relative to said stationary die, said mounting means including a plate extending substantially parallel to said top portion of said frame and carrying at one end thereof said movable die symmetrically arranged with respect to a longitudinal center line of said plate, abutment means mounted on said top portion of said frame and engaging the bottom face of said plate at the other end thereof in the region of said center line, and resilient means connected to said other end of said plate for resiliently holding said other end of said plate in engagement with said abutment means; and pressure means mounted on said frame and engaging the top face of said plate in the region of said one end thereof for tilting said plate about said abutment means and for pressing thereby said movable die toward said stationary die.

13. A press as set forth in claim 12, wherein said stationary die is formed in said connecting portion with a cavity extending rearwardly from said cutout and to a depth greater than the latter for accommodating a clasp part on the frame of a handbag placed in said cutout; and including a pressure element mounted on said movable die and having a portion projecting downwardly beyond the bottom face of the latter in vertical alignment with said cavity for engaging said clasp part during movement of said movable die toward said stationary die.

14. A press as set forth in claim 13 wherein said pressure element is constituted by a set screw screwed in a threaded bore of said movable die so as to be adjustable in longitudinal direction of said bore.

15. A press as set forth in claim 12 and including an insert in said stationary die formed in the cavity extending rearwardly from said cutout and being closed toward said top face of said stationary die for receiving a clasp part of a frame placed in said cutout.

16. A press for clamping frames of a handbag or the like comprising, in combination, a press frame having a substantially horizontal top portion; a stationary substantially U-shaped die having a pair of leg portions and a connecting portion and being fixedly mounted on said top portion of said frame with said leg portions projecting forwardly a front edge of said portion, said stationary die being formed with a cutout extending from the top face of said stationary die along the inner edges of said leg portions and the front edge of said connecting portion for receiving a frame of a handbag therein; a movable substantially U-shaped die upwardly spaced from said stationary die and having a pair of leg portions and a connecting portion substantially coextensive with that of said stationary die and being formed with a U-shaped ridge extending along the inner edges of the leg portions and the connecting portion of said movable die downwardly from the bottom face of the latter in vertical alignment with said cutout of said stationary die; mounting means for mounting said movable die for movement toward and away from said stationary die while permitting slight universal tilting movernent of said movable die relative to said stationary die, said mounting means including a plate extending substantially parallel to said top portion of said frame and carrying at one end thereof said movable die symmetrically arranged with respect to a longitudinal center line of said plate, said plate being formed in the region of the other end thereof at said center line with a bore therethrough, a pin fixed to and projecting upwardly from said top portion of said frame and extending with ample clearance through said bore, said pin having a first shoulder engaging the bottom face of said plate and forming an abutment means for the latter, and having a second shoulder upwardly spaced from the top face of said plate, and a compression spring about said pin between said top face and said second shoulder for yieldably pressing said bottom face of said plate at said one end against said first shoulder; pressure means mounted on said frame and engaging said top face of said plate in the region of said one end thereof substantially at said center line for tilting said plate about said abutment means and for pressing thereby said movable die toward said stationary die, said pressure means including a crank lever mounted on said frame for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis and having a longer and a shorter arm including an angle with each other, a foot pedal pivoted at one end thereof on said frame, first connecting means pivotally connected at opposite ends thereof to said foot pedal adjacent one end of the latter and to said longer arm of said crank lever adjacent a free end thereof, a pressure member having a spherical end engaging said top face of said plate in the region of said one end thereof substantially at said center line, and second connecting means extending through an opening in said plate and being pivotally connected at one end thereof to said shorter arm of said crank lever and at the other end thereof to said pressure member; and compression spring means between said plate and said top portion of said frame for yieldably maintaining said movable die spaced from said stationary die.

17. A press as set forth in claim 16 and including a tension spring connected at opposite ends thereof to said first connecting means and to said top portion of said frame.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 594,383 11/1897 Childers 72-413 CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner.

R. D. GREFE, Assistant Examinerx 

1. A PRESS FOR CLAMPING FRAMES OF A HANDBAG OR THE LIKE COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A PRESS FRAME HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL TOP PORTION; A STATIONARY DIE FIXEDLY MOUNTED ON SAID TOP PORTION OF SAID FRAME; A MOVABLE DIE UPWARDLY SPACED FROM SAID STATIONARY DIE; MOUNTING MEANS FOR MOUNTING SAID MOVABLE DIE FOR MOVEMENT TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAID STATIONARY DIE WHILE PERMITTING SLIGHT UNIVERSAL TILTING MOVEMENT OF SAID MOVABLE DIE RELATIVE TO SAID STATIONARY DIE, SAID MOUNTING MEANS INCLUDING A PLATE EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO SAID TOP PORTION OF SAID FRAME AND CARRYING AT ONE END THEREOF SAID MOVABLE DIE SYMMETRICALLY ARRANGED WITH RESPECT TO A LONGITUDINAL CENTER LINE OF SAID PLATE, ABUTMENT MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID TOP PORTION OF SAID FRAME AND ENGAGING THE BOTTOM FACE OF SAID PLATE AT THE OTHER END THEREOF IN THE REGION OF SAID CENTER LINE, AND RESILIENT MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID OTHER END OF SAID PLATE FOR RESILIENTLY HOLDING SAID OTHER END OF SAID PLATE IN ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID ABUTMENT MEANS; AND PRESSURE MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME AND ENGAGING THE TOP FACE OF SAID PLATE IN THE REGION OF SAID ONE THEREOF FOR TILTING SAID PLATE ABOUT SAID ABUTMENT MEANS AND FOR PRESSING THEREBY SAID MOVABLE DIE TOWARD SAID STATIONARY DIE. 